Another high-caliber cager will reinforce the United Royals in the upcoming Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season.
This, after Negrense Mark Nonoy begins his professional basketball stint with the team. He signed his deal on Sunday afternoon in the presence of team CEO JJ Javelosa and playing team manager Jay Javelosa.
The former De La Salle University Green Archers guard formalized his move to Iloilo City despite receiving offers from several MPBL squads, including reigning champions Pampanga Giant Lanterns and San Juan Go for Gold Knights.
Excited to play for the Ilonggos, Nonoy also posted online stating: “It’s official! Excited to play for the Iloilo United Royals in the upcoming MPBL season. Another chapter unlocked! To God be the Glory,” he captioned.
Nonoy is not new to Iloilo. Despite hailing from La Carlota City in Negros Occidental, Nonoy’s classification as a homegrown player for Iloilo. He spent and played his high school years with the Hua Siong College of Iloilo Red Phoenix.
Nonoy, a former UAAP Rookie of the Year awardee, was an integral piece to the Green Archers’ championship conquest in Season 86, averaging 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
At the United Royals, Nonoy is poised to reunite with his former University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers teammate Crispin John “CJ” Cansino, who joined the squad two weeks ago.
Nonoy and Cansino will join the returning United Royals players in Conrad Catapusan, Omar Larupay, Aaron Jeruta, Shaquille Imperial, and JR Ongteco for the upcoming MPBL season.
Aside from the players, the United Royals have also recently renewed the head coaching contract of MC Abolucion, a relative of Nonoy’s Red Phoenix head coach Vincent Conlu.IMT Sports
